The other finalists are “Liberty’s Exiles,” a study of the American loyalist diaspora by Maya Janasoff; Matt Ridley’s upbeat “The Rational Optimist” and “Reprobates,” John Stubbs’ portrait of 17th-century Cavaliers.

The prize recognizes English-language books in the areas of current affairs, history, politics, science, sport, travel, biography, autobiography and the arts.